Hispanic celebration is "best ever"

The ECHO dance team was among the performers who entertained in the park Saturday.

A crowd estimated at well over 700 people turned out Saturday for the Second Annual 16 de Septiembre Hispanic celebration at Carl Miller Park, sponsored by the Elmore County Hispanic Organization (ECHO).

ECHO President Debbie Brito was ecstatic with the turnout for the celebration of Mexico's independence day. "Everyone I talked to said it was the best ever. The weather was beautiful. It was meant to happen."

Throughout the day the crowd enjoyed almost non-stop entertainment from 1 p.m. to well past 5 p.m. "Some of the entertainers we had wanted to get involved at the last minute, so we just added them on at the end," Brito said.

The purpose of the event, which also featured games, contests and a half dozen vendors selling food and curios, "was to share our culture with the community," Brito said. "We want to break down some of the stereotypes."

After introductions and a prayer by father Raul, the event began with a series of speeches.

Mayor Dave Jett told the crowd that the city "recognizes the importance of this historical day, but also the important role in our community" that Hispanics play.

He noted that ECHO was formed only four years ago, "and as mayor, there is a great sense of pride in what we've accomplished in the last four years" and an overall sense of pride in the participation and involvement of the Hispanic population in the community.

Joe McNeal, who is challenging Jett for mayor this November, also noted that it was appropriate to celebrate Mexico's independence day. "Independence and freedom are God's gift to all people, and only man can take it away. All Americans celebrate freedom from oppression of all types."

And in a brief plug for his campaign, McNeal promised "I will do whatever it takes to see that all Americans can exercise their freedom."

But the highlight of the speeches was the presentation by Jesse Behrain, one of the leaders in the state's Hispanic community, a state official and the first Hispanic ever elected to the Idaho Legislature.

"Be proud of your heritage, and be proud of your country," he said, pointing out that since Korea, more Medals of Honor have been won by Hispanics than any other group, and that Hispanics made up a large part of the all-volunter U.S. military.

He stressed the importance of Hispanics to American culture and economics, noting that Hispanics, at 38 million, are now the largest minority group in the nation and nearly 9 percent of the state of Idaho has Hispanic roots.

Hispanic small businesses are the fastest growing segment of the state and national economy, he added, urging those in the crowd to be come active in their community and in politics.

But, he added, "we need to get back to those things that give us a sense of security -- our family, and education.

"We must use our economic and political power to develop a society that is responsive to our needs, and that developes a cohesive community (of all ethnic groups) in which we can all be proud."